IPL 2025 Final Preview: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings – A Battle for Legacy in Ahmedabad

There’s one last match left in IPL 2025, and it’s set to take place on the magnificent grounds of Ahmedabad. It’s a clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings, two of the league’s most entertaining and emotionally driven teams, each looking to win their first IPL title. All the elements are present: a high-scoring venue, potent batting lineup, powerful match-up and legacy on the line.

Ahmedabad: The Batters’ Paradise

The match will be played on the Centre wicket, which has produced 11 scores of 200+ this season, with most of them favouring teams batting first. Punjab defended 243/5 in the previous match on the same pitch. However, RCB will be playing their first match in Ahmedabad this year and have shown exceptional prowess in chasing targets – six wins in seven second-innings attempts.

Toss Could Tilt the Balance

Punjab are a little more inclined to bat first, but their recent bowling problems might prompt Shreyas Iyer to chase the target if they win the toss. RCB, on the other hand, might again prefer to chase the target given their impressive performance batting second.

Key Match-ups and Tactical Battles

Can Punjab’s Top Order Resist RCB’s Powerplay Onslaught?

IPL 2025 Final Preview: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings – A Battle for Legacy in Ahmedabad

Punjab’s top order – Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis – have been blistering throughout the season, scoring runs at a pace of over 160 each. Still, their weakness has been RCB’s hard-length bowling. RCB’s pacers have dominated them in all previous encounters this season, picking up early wickets and breaking the backbone of Punjab’s innings.

RCB lead the league in terms of getting out to back-of-length or short balls in the powerplay, while Punjab batsmen are most vulnerable to this type of bowling.

Shreyas Iyer’s Ahmedabad High vs RCB Hoodoo

Shreyas Iyer has scored 242 runs without a dismissal in Ahmedabad this season, but against RCB, he has managed just 15 runs in three matches. Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya and others have had tough matches against the Punjab captain, making the opening exchanges between them crucial.

Spin Duel: Punjab’s Challenge Against RCB’s Suyash Sharma

Suyash Sharma has turned the game around with his flat, stump-hitting leg-spin. Five of his eight wickets this season have come against Punjab, all either bowled or LBW. However, left-armer Nehal Vadhera can counter that by taking an aggressive approach – he has conceded 25 runs off just 16 balls against Suyash.

Arshdeep Singh’s Redemption Opportunity

Arshdeep Singh has always troubled Phil Salt, but his performance since the league resumed has been below average – picking up no wickets in his last five powerplay spells. However, if Punjab are to win, Arshdeep’s new ball spell will have to trouble RCB’s formidable opening pair of Salt and Kohli, who have put on 664 runs together this season.

The Fifth Bowler Conundrum for Punjab

Punjab’s fifth bowler’s spot, especially in Jensen’s absence, has seen them concede over 11 runs per over this season. With RCB’s deep and strong batting lineup, Shreyas Iyer’s strategy will be put to the test, especially if Umarzai and Stoinis fail early.

Selection Dilemma: Vyshak or Brar?

Punjab will have to choose between right-arm pacer Vyshank Vijaykumar or left-arm orthodox bowler Harpreet Brar, who have troubled RCB batsmen in the past as well. However, RCB have been doing well against both leg-spin and left-arm orthodox this season, especially thanks to Salt and Kohli.

Leadership on Display: Patidar vs Iyer

Rajat Patidar has impressed with his calm and composed leadership, especially in high-pressure games. His bond with Kohli has been central to RCB’s journey. “We will try to win this match for him,” said Patidar, pointing to the emotional undercurrent around Kohli’s quest for a maiden IPL title.

Final Word

The stakes couldn’t be higher. For RCB, it’s a chance for history and redemption. For Punjab Kings, it’s about rebuilding and validating years of hope. In a ground built for batting brilliance, the margins will depend on execution, match-ups and nerves. Ahmedabad awaits its champion.

Prediction:

The kind of form and strength that RCB has shown, especially while chasing targets, Bangalore may get a little ahead of them. But Punjab’s team cannot be underestimated either on the basis of Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy and batting form.

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